USPS announces new East Union Post Office location

The East Union Post Office can keep its name after redevelopment forced its closure at 23rd and Union back in January. USPS has decided to relocate across the street in the old Electric Lady Bicycles space, 2207 E. Union St.

“We don’t have a lease formally done, but I think that nine months is still a decent timeline,” said USPS spokesperson Ernie Swanson. “I think location was the main criteria.”

Nine months was the estimated timeline for establishing a new post office location provided by USPS real estate specialist Greg Shelton during a community meeting in early May. Residents in attendance were asked to provide a preference for either the Electric Lady Bicycles space or a space in the Madrona Refuge building at 34th and Union, after the majority at the May 2 meeting said they did not want to wait three years for the post office to return to its original corner.

Lake Union Partners plans to break ground on that corner of 23rd Avenue and East Union this summer, constructing a seven-story mixed-use development with 430 apartment units spread across three buildings.

“They tell me they’re going to try to put a drive-up collection box somewhere in the area,” Swanson said.

USPS vice president of facilities Tom Samra announced the relocation decision to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan in a June 7 letter, noting another location may be selected if a lease agreement can’t be reached.

“While the Postal Service is sensitive to the impact of this decision on its customers and the East Union community, the Postal Service properly considered community input and this decision is consistent with Postal Service objectives,” the letter reads. “Postal Service operations are not supported by tax dollars. To be self-sustaining, the Postal Service must make decisions that ensure it provides adequate and affordable postal services in a manner that is as efficient and

economical as possible.”